March Knit-Along Pattern

Thus far my monthly Knit-Along/knitting class has been a smashing success!  If you haven't tried it out (in person or long-distance) you definitely should! 

Here is a peek at the pattern for March - a Cabled Ear Warmer.  And a bonus -this pattern is a "two-fer" - You get both the child and adult sizes for this great ear warmer headband!  The cost of the class is $5 and includes this original pattern by me, and a deliciously delectable dessert made by Dave.

We are delving into circular knitting and cables this month, so you will need 16" circs in size 7, and a cable needle.  For just $9 extra I am happy to provide those tools  for class attenders.  I'll be placing the knitpicks order on March 8th, so be sure to let me know before then if you want the supplies!


If you can't make the class in person, be sure to purchase the pattern by clicking below!  It's only $3 (for both sizes!) and you have the opportunity to join in our knit-along blog hop later in the month!  I'll be posting the blog hop photos for February's project in about two weeks!  


Click here to order March's Knit-Along pattern!   --->    

Creative University and March Card Class

My wonderful husband will be minding the house and children for a few days while I enjoy 4 days away at Creative University!  This will be my third year going, and I couldn't be more excited - or less ready!  LOL...

I'll be spending all day today packing, and finishing up "month end" stuff for my business.  Can't believe we're almost into March already -unbelievable!  But, I digress...

Here is an early sneak peek at my card class cards for March.  I'm already filled up on Sunday, but do have some room Monday and Tuesday nights if you are in the greater Seattle area and would like to attend.  This month the theme is masculine cards using CTMH's "You Rock" paper packet, and I'll be teaching several techniques using liquid glass.

Enjoy!

Hydrangea Designs

One of my sweetest friends (and hopefully someday my next-door neighbor) Wendi just started a blog!  She is amazingly creative, funny, and just the most wonderful, genuine, generous, kind person you will ever meet.

You may remember seeing her work about a year ago, when she offered to donate portions of her sales to help us raise funds for Ruby's adoption.  I'd like to showcase some of her work today, and introduce you to her new blog, Hydrangea Designs.  

Aren't these bird nest rings adorable?!?!  I just had to get one for myself.

Wendi's latest endeavor - felted flower brooches.  Soooo soft and luxurious!

And for all the little lovelies in your life, these hair clips are the cutest things around.  I swear Sammie has about a dozen of them!

I hope you'll visit Wendi's blog and give her some love!  You can also check out her etsy store at www.hydrangeadesigns.etsy.com

Cupcake Hats

So it only took 2 days, but my Ravelympics knitting got put on hold for a few days when I found a pattern for CUPCAKE HATS!!!  With a few modifications, I whipped up these two hats for my girls for Valentine's day.

Here is the baby size on RuRu...

I love her little gummy smile!

And here is the big kid size on Sammie:

The cupcake sisters:

I'd like to find some larger beads to thread on the yarn and add as "sprinkles".  All of the beads I usually use for knitting are too small.  So at some point I'm going to have to trek down to the bead store in Greenwood.

Today I'm back to my Ravelympics knitting.  I did finish a pair of bubble socks, and made more progress on my shawl.  I'm so excited because the designer of the shawl, Stephen West, is coming to a local yarn store in March!  Just might have to go meet him in person!

NOTE:  Yes! I am taking orders for these hats.  From the time of posting this I have 4 orders, so the wait will be approximately 2 weeks from the time of ordering to shipment.

Baby sizes will be $32 (or $38 with beads), kids will be $36 (or $42 with beads).  I don't have any hats with beads knitted so far, but they are strung on the yarn before knitting, so not a choking hazard.  I will try to post one with beads soon so you can see.

When ordering, you need to include size desired, "frosting" color preference, and if you want the bead "sprinkles" or not.

Email me for more info or to place your order!  nonapearl@firebin.net

Portland Get-Away

Last weekend Dave and I made a quick trip down to Portland.  Our main objective was to get a new bird - a canary that Dave had picked out after a week of researching breeders and varieties of canaries.

Once he decided to go with the breeder in Vancouver, I begged for him to take me to Portland (just a few miles out of the way) because my all time favorite knitting store Twisted is there.

Not only did he consent, he suggested that we go a day early so we could make it to Twisted's Knit Night!  Have I told you how much I love this man!  Sooooooo much!  :)  So Friday afternoon, we dropped Sammie off at school (Grandma would be picking her up) and took off.

This is my car knitting project - the "Twisted one-skein" club project for February - a beautiful cowl in chunky Malabrigo yarn.  YUMMY!  I got it about half done.

While we didn't have to fight traffic, we did have to turn around and go home once, stop for gas, and stop to feed Ruby along the way.  That meant we got to Twisted just a few minutes late.  (And meant that dinner would have to wait until AFTER we finished knitting).  Dave is such a good sport!

This is just a part of their sock yarn selection.  Can you see why I absolutely love this shop!?!

Dave works on his scarf:

After the knit night was over, we found a Red Robin and splurged for dinner.  We got drinks, burgers, fries AND split a sundae!  Oh so yummy... and worth every calorie!

Then we drove back downtown and found our Hotel.  We used Priceline and stayed at a pretty deluxe place for only $70!!!  It was called Hotel Lucia - and while the room was small, it was pretty swanky.  This is the view from the bathroom.  I only brought my 50mm lens so getting pictures of the whole room at once was impossible.

Here we are being silly.

I liked this shot of Ruby.  It isn't often I get her in profile.

We watched cable tv (HGTV and Food Netwark) until we fell asleep - another luxury we go without at home.  The next morning we hit our favorite coffee shop.  The concierge at the hotel suggested a local roastery, but we just couldn't do it!  The bux called to us...

Then Dave and I walked and shopped downtown Portland.  We went to a brand new spice shop, the Verizon store, and Nordy's - among other places.  Dave got a new cover for his phone:

...and I got a new pair of shoes.  Unfortunately they weren't in stock, so I have to wait for them to come in the mail.  Hence the pouty face.

We made one last stop before heading north to pick up the bird.  It wouldn't have been a mini-vacation without sushi!  This joint had great food - and each plate was only $1!!  We made it out (with tip) for $10.  Gotta love that!

Finally, this little guy was the reason for the whole trip.  Sammie wanted to name him "Sweetie" and we wanted something a little more suave and debonair - with a big band/mob boss sound to it.  So we settled on "Sweetie Valentino".   He sings beautifully and we love him already.

Ravelympics

(a new skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn being wound on my swift and yarn winder)

The Winter Olympics are coming this Friday, and with them another type of Olympics - the Ravelry-Olympics (or Ravelympics)!!!  Ravelry is like facebook but for knitters and crocheters, and a very awesome place to find patterns, meet other knitters, and get inspired to knit cool things.  :)

The purpose in Ravelympics is to stretch yourself in your knitting.  To knit something you've never tried before, but always wanted to.  Or to learn a few new stitches and put them into practice.  I have lofty knitting goals for these Ravelympics, but I think they are obtainable and I'm set to finish and win GOLD!  :)

Here's my list of things I'd like to complete: 

Daybreak shawl by Stephen West (I'm 1/4 done)

2 pairs of Bubble baby socks

1 pair of Dragonfly socks for Sammie

1 pair of Monkey socks for me

1 pair of French Press Knits Felted Slippers

March's Knit-Along Pattern

Additionally, I'd like to create a few youtube videos on how to do some of the stitches we are using in my knitting class.  This would be a great reminder for class members during the month, and for those attempting the patterns long distance.

Will you take the Ravelympics challenge too?

January Knit-Along Blog Hop

In January, I started a knitting class/club/group - whatever you want to call it - and made it open to local and long distance friends.  It was a little scary starting a new class, but so much fun to meet other knitters and even inspire a few people to try picking up needles for the first time.

For our first Knit-Along project, I chose a scarf pattern with ribbing that flowed along the diagonal.  This pattern, while still at a beginner level, was a bit more interesting to knit than a traditional garter stitch scarf.  It offered a chance to practice both knit and purl for the newbies, and the challenge of working a short pattern repeat.

I thought it would be fun to do a little blog hop today to share the progress that some of the group has made on their scarves!  Here are the photos and links to other blogs from a few of our Knit-Along members.  I hope to make this a monthly tradition!  If you want to join in next month, feel free to purchase the Feb pattern below!

My scarf (it is finished now!) and a link to purchase this pattern for $3:  

Heidi's Scarf:

Kathy's Scarf:

Kayla's Scarf:

Jessica's Scarf:

Thanks for sharing your hard work ladies!!!  :)

Here is a reminder of the February Knit-Along project.  If you live near Seattle and would like to attend, it is Sat, Feb 20th at 7 pm, and only costs $5 (which covers the pattern AND a yummy, homemade dessert).  If you want to participate long distance you can purchase the pattern for only $3!  Happy Knitting!

Wordless Wednesday

Winner!

According to the trusty random number generator - Haley D - you are the winner of my blog hop cards!  Whoohoo!  Email me (nonapearl@myctmh.com) with your address and I will get your cards mailed off to you.

Thanks for playing everyone!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:12Powered by RANDOM.ORG

CU Classes

These are the two classes I'll be teaching at Tresa Black's retreat: Creative University.  It's coming up at the end of this month and I just can't wait!  Yippee!!!  Now that we have the final class count, I can start ordering and prepping my supplies.

I used all CTMH supplies for both classes - including the "You Rock" paper packet, lots and lots of different "rockin" stamp sets, flip flaps, watercolor pencils, and more.  If you want a detailed list of supplies let me know and I'll list them.